Hi Everone-

I picked up a 92 300D a week ago, I love the car, feels so much more stately than my TDI Jetta. I did have a concern this morning though. Last night was the first time I parked the car in the garage (I live toward the bottom of a hill) Well when I started her up this morning she could not get up the hill, would be in drive and woudl just come to a standstill. After a few attempts like this I put the brake one and gave it RPM's and it made it up. My TDI's have never had a problem with the hill, or my dad's Ford Ranger. Any words of advice appreciated.

Lance

Check the transmission fluid level. If you have to ask how, have it checked by a reputable MB independent shop.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Transmission fluid is fine (I checked it myself and with an indy). The grade of my driveway is pretty steep and there is not much in the way of "runway" to get any speed to it. Maybe the car was simply not warmed up enough? This is my first MB diesel so still learning. That said I am pretty commited to the car and will move the family to another house if need be (hope my wife does not read these threads : )

Hmm... it's not a good sign when the transmission takes time to engage D or R. A couple of seconds seems to be common as the transmission ages but when you have to rev the engine to engage a drive gear, you're looking at major transmission service.

How many miles on this car?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

it has 144K but the tranny was rebuilt @100K (here is the car http://jono.mbfans.net/E300D.htm ) The car made it about 1/2 way up the drive and comes to a standstill at the steepest part.

So it engages properly but loses climbing ability halfway up. That's beyond me. Does it happen in reverse?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Yes that is it exactly. I have not tried reverse, is reverse geared "lower" than 1st?

Does the engine rev high before it stops on the hill?
Does the car stall out even when selecting 1st gear?

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

The engine does not seem to rev high like its slipping. Its more like it is running in place (the RPM's did not really climb either under full throttle)
My car seems to rev much better after 2K (turbo kicking in) and the problem with my driveway is that it does not have enough room to get anywher near 2K before the steepest part of the hill.
I had the car in Drive, and it never did stall, it would just run in place (and I would quickly hit the break and shift to N to try another run. ) I have only done the driveway in D, have not tried manually selecting the gear (nor have I parked it down my driveway since then either).

Do you know if that model has the cursed second gear start? If so, maybe it's not engaging first as it should. When you floor the pedal, do you hit the button at the bottom of the pedal travel? Does it work any better if you put the gear selector in 2 before you start up the hill?

The SDL starts in first and it's so much more pleasant than my 91 300SE that started in second.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Not sure about that, never heard of a 2nd gear start, but now that you say it that is kind of what it acts like. So if I put the transmission in 2 I will be in first gear? (I miss the simplicity of a 5 speed). Not sure on the throttle button thing , was not even aware that there wasa button there. I'll drive home today and start in 2 and see if it feels like a lower gear. Would the owners manual tell me whether it starts in 2nd gear when in D?

The easy way to tell is to accelerate gently from a stop and count shifts to top gear. In a second gear start tranny, first gear will only engage automatically when there is sufficient load or demand. To engage first gear manually, set the gear selector to 2 while at a full stop. You'll probably feel first gear engage and there will be more of a propensity to creep.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Some of the MB's have a 2nd gear start to smooth the acceleration when accelerating normally. If you push the pedal to the floor there should be a kickdown switch (on the floor behind the pedal) which forces the transmission to go to a gear lower than what it's in (hopefully 2nd to 1st in your case).

Before you get home and try the driveway again, stick the gear lever in "2" and see how fast it will go by the speedometer markings for maximum downshift speeds. It shouldn't pass the "one dot" mark.

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

After you check your transmission...also look at your ALDA adjustment (search forums to find out how) and whatnot.
When the engines are cold they are not too peppy until you are into boost. Also if you are not getting good fuel it will be a dog.
Your bowden cable (on top of the valve cover near the back) may need to be adjusted to get your car to kick down into 1st gear and rock and roll. My 300SD will light up a tire on a steep grade if I am not easy with the go pedal.

EDIT: I just noticed the year of your car, some of my info probably won't apply but I am sure someone can direct you. My apologies.

Well just tried the driveway out agian with a somewhat warm engine and put in 2, no laboring the car went right up the driveway. The test will be tomorow AM with a cold engine. I think knowledge of the accelerator button, while i am sure it will doom my MPG a bit now that I know about it : ), made all the difference. Will let everyone know the outcome tomorow AM.

Lance